August 13, 2004 -- Volume 2, Number 9

Say “YES” and Get Prepared: Common Sense and Check-Lists Help Citizens Stay Safe

Preparing Against Terrorism Is Not Enough!

By

Judy Silver

Senior Editor

Every day we are bombarded with messages about possible terrorist strikes. Most recently the Department of Homeland Security has warned of terrorist attack threats to DC, NY and NJ.

Numerous government agencies have posted information telling us how to recover from a biological or some other form of attack.

The terrorist threat is very real. But, the odds are that we are more likely to face some other disaster or emergency in our life-time. Each region of the country is going to have different disasters, including earthquakes, tornadoes, flash floods or hurricanes. Would you know how to minimize injury? Do you know what to tell your children if they are not with you?

Typically, Americans look to government to insure their safety and well-being, but one citizen is taking matters into her own hands. Kris Dodson has written a book, the “YES BOOK”: Your Emergency Safety, for home and family use.

The “YES Book” is a comprehensive guide based on common sense garnered through Dodson’s personal experience as a wife and daughter-in-law of fire-fighters.

“If there was a storm or flooding, we were alone fending for ourselves,’’ said Dodson. “If the electricity went out, I had to make sure I had alternate plans.”

In addition to her personal experience, Dodson has interviewed thousands of first responders, emergency room and air medical rescue personnel, HAZMAT teams, forest fire fighters, and special operations training officers- all of whom think her idea is right on the mark. They know that more disability and death happen within first 60 minutes of any type of an emergency situation due to lack of preparedness and education.

Because of this, Dodson is adamant that individual citizens take more responsibility for their own and their family's well-being. Her goal is to get people across the nation aware of their own state of emergency preparedness whether at home, in the car, at work or at school.

“We have allowed this to happen to ourselves- not being responsible for our own emergency preparedness,’’ said Dodson. “The convenience of calling 911 makes us thinks that it will solve all our problems, whether we’re calling for police or EMS or fire protection.”

Dodson’s book contains simple check lists and common sense guidance to help citizens get prepared before an emergency occurs. The book is geared to help the general public prepare for medical emergencies and natural disaster of all kinds, including blackouts and evacuations.

“Of the many checklists, there’s one check list in the YES BOOK that if it was filled out for each family member they would be far ahead of the game, ’’said Dodson.

To learn more or buy the  “YES BOOK" to protect your family, click here.

Contact Judy Silver at JudySilver@PubSector.com.